Apparatus for developing photographic films.



No. 707,79l. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

A. W. MGCURDY. APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

#Application filed Mar. 29, 1900.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet I.

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2 0 w 6 2 G u A d a t n e t a P D B u c c M W A m. 7 0 7 am N APPARATUSFOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGBAPHIC FILMS.

(Application filed. Mar. 29, 1900.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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'Nu. 707,79l. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

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APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPH"; FILMS.

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(No Model.)

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'No. 707,79l. Patented Aug. 26. I902.

A. W, MGUURDY. APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

(Application filed. Mar. 29, 1900.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

mi NORRIS PETERS n04 FHOTQ-UTMQ. NASNINGYON. u r.

No. 707,79l. Patented Aug. 26, I902. A.'W. McGURDY.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPH? FILMS.

(Application filed In. 29, 1900.

7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Modem Patented Aug. 26, I902.

No. 707,79l.

.A. w. mcunnv. APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHUTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1900.)

7 Sheets$heet 6.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FFECEO ARTHUR l/V. MCCURDY, OF lVASHINGTON,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER,NE\V YORK,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPENG PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,791, dated August26, 1902.

Application filed March 29. 1900. Serial No. 10,663. (No model.)

a citizen of Canada, residing at lVashington,

in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Developing Photographic Films, of whichthe following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an apparatus for developing photographicfilms, and is in part an improvement upon the invention set forth andclaimed in my Patent No. 647,900,

dated April 17, 1900, application for which was filed April at, 1899,Serial No, 711,723.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional Viewon the line 1 1 of Fig. 4:, the top or cover being removed; Fig. 2, asimilar view with the coverin place; Fig. 3, a detail View showing theaxle or spool support locked in position; Fig. 4-, a top plan View, thetop or cover being partly broken away; Fig. 5, a transverse sectionalview on the line 2 2 of Fig. at; Fig. 6, a similar View illustratingseveral layers of the endless apron as they appear when the apron ispartially wound about the front axle; Fig. 7, a perspective view of thelid or cover; Figs. 8 and 9, detail views illustrative of the meansemployed for releasing the locking devices for the spool-support; Fig.10, a detail view showing the means employed for attaching the frontaxle to the disk or head and said head in turn to the endless apron;Fig. 11, a face View with the axle in section of one of thestuffing-boxes or bearings; 12, a perspective view of a portion of thefront axle and its attendant parts; Fig. 15, a detailview of a portionof the box, showing the relation of the filling and emptying tubethereto; and Fig. 14, a perspective view of the spool or cartridge snpporting axle; Fig. 15, a perspective view of a portion of a modifiedform of the apron orsupport; Fig. 16, a sectionalview of two layers ofsaid modified form of apron; Fig. 17, a perspective view of the box,showing the flexible apron or support drawn out therefrom with the filmthereon in a position where the film maybe dried without removal fromthe apron or support; and Fig. 18, a perspective View of the apparatusas a whole shown in its closed position.

The primary object of my invention is, as stated in my formerapplication, to provide a portable actinic-proof apparatus wherein aflexible photographic film or cartridge may be placed andtreated, thusdoing away with thenecessity of a dark room and all its attendantinconveniences.

The subsidiary object of the case is to provide a better means forcarrying out the main object just stated.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the main body of the box, whichis preferably formed of hard rubber or similar material in one piece.The upper edge of the box is, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4E, and 5,provided with an upstanding rim 1-3, adapted and designed to enter agroove or channel formed in the under face of the cover C and to make atight fit therewith. Said cover has an opening formed therein, whichopening is closed by actinic-proof material, preferably coloredcelluloid, having one portion, D, ground, so as to diffuse any lightwhich may pass through it, while the other half, E, is left plain. Thiscelluloid, preferably in the form of a sheet, is sprung into a groove orchannel formed in the cover and is secured in place by a small screw F,Fig. 2, which passes back of one edge thereof when the sheet is inplace. To protect this sheet when not in use and also to assist in theproper entrance of the nonactinic light-rays through said sheet when theapparatus is in use, I employ two lids or supplemental covers G H, Figs.2, 5, and 7. These lids are pivotally connected at their proximate edgesto blocks or projections 1, extending up from or secured to the cover.\Vhen not in use, these lids may be swung down, entirely covering thecelluloid sheet, as in Fig. 18; but when a film is in the apparatus andit is desired to watch the operation of its development the lids may beswung up to the positions indicatedin the ures just noted, so thatnon-actinic rays will enter through the ground portion D, being diffusedthereby,but admitting sufficientlight to permit the operation to beViewed through the plain portion E of the sheet. The lightrays whichpass through the ground portion are broken up and disseminated andthoroughly illuminate the interior of the box, so that the film may bereadily and clearly seen. By reason of having the lids stand at an angleto each other the light which passes through the ground portion D willbe reflected from the film through the plain portion E. In other words,the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. In using theapparatus the lid G should be held toward the source of light. Theinclination of the lid H also facilitates proper inspection of the filmby cutting off practically all reflection from the surface of said plainportion, inasmuch as any light-rays which strike its surface must ofnecessity be in a line parallel to the line of vision, or practicallyso. Hence there can be no rays reflected back from its surface. Theamount of light admitted to the apparatus can be readily gaged byadjusting the lids up or down, as the case may require. Suitablefastening devices, such as hooks J, are employed for holding the coverdown to its place.

Mounted in the front portion of the box or closure is an axle K, one endof which is seated in a suitable bearing, while the opposite end extendsout through a stuffing-box or packing-gland and has connected to it acrank L. Said axle has loosely mounted upon it two disks or heads M N,which are connected to each other by a cross bar or memher 0, so thatwhen one head or disk is turned the other must partake of the samerotary movement. Disk N, Figs. 10 and 12, has formed in its face aseries of notches P, which are designed and adapted under certainconditions to receive a pin Q, carried by the axle K, and to lock thedisk and axle together. The axle K may be moved longitudinally to bringthe pin into engagement with one of the notches P, Fig. 6, or when movedinto the position shown in Fig. 5 to free the pin from the notches andto permit the axle to be rotated independently of the disks or heads. Tosecure the axle in these two positions, it is provided with grooves orchannels R, into which enters a spring locking device S,mounted, asshown, in the nut or packingland of the Stuifing-box through which theaxle extends. By simply lifting the free end of the springarm S it iswithdrawn from one or the other of said grooves, and the axle may bemoved inward or outward, as occasion may require. The axle K is providedwith a slot which extends through from side to side throughout the majorportion of its length, and to provide for the more easy insertion of theend of the film or the protecting-covering which is wound thereabout thebody of the axle is cut away or beveled upon each side of the axleadjacent to one side of the slot, as is best indicated in Figs. 1 and 6.

A flexible apron, web, or support provided with raised edges is employedfor-supporting and holding the film when it is placed in the apparatusfor treatment. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, at, 5, and 6, the apron orsupport is formed of a sheet of celluloid T, having secured to its sideedges, on each face thereof,

narrow strips or bands U, of rubber or other suitable flexible material,and adjacent to said bands or strips is formed a series of openings V,Figs. 4 and 5, in the main body of the celluloid apron. The forward endof the apron or support is connected to a cross bar or member W, whichin turn is connected by a series of links to the disks M and N.Preferably and in practice the rubber strips U are sewed to thecelluloid, and the same means is employed for connecting the ends of theapron to the rod TV, as will be noted upon reference to Fig. 1, the endof the apron being passed around the rod and doubled back upon itself.To provide a simple means for securing these links to the disks, thedisks ing the finger or a suitable tool under the 5 arm and withdrawingit from its engage-- ment with the link. The opposite end of theflexible apron or support is connected to two disks or heads a and b ina manner similar to the connection of the other end I00 with the forwarddisks. The disks are journaled or have bearings formed in the side wallsof the box or closure and are connected to each other by a cross member0. The axle of the disk 1) extends out through its bearing :05

and has connected to it a suitable crank L. These disks are designed toreceive and hold the axle or other supporting device upon which a spoolis mounted or a film wound.

In the drawings I have illustrated the axle or support (1 in connectionwith the usual spool for holding a photographic film. The heads or disksa b are, as shown, cut away or provided with a slot which extends fromthe periphery thereof toward the center,and these 1 15 slots are adaptedand designed to receive the ends of the supporting-axle (Z when it ispassed down therein. To provide for proper entrance of the axle into theslots, there is formed in each of the side walls of the box a groove orchannel e, into which the ends of the axle are placed when the spool orcartridge is put in the apparatus, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The axle,

Fig. 14, is preferably slitted andspring out at its center in order toprovide sufficient friction between it and the spool which is placedthereon. The ends of the axle are also formed with grooves or channelsj, which when the axle is seated within the disks or heads a Z) areengaged by a projecting tongue g, formed upon a lever or locking-detenth, pivoted in the head or disk a. The opposite disk or head I) is alsoprovided with a lever The disks are, as 90 or locking-detent. Thesedetents or levers prevent the axle from turning independently of theheads or disks and also prevent the axle from being withdrawn from saidheads or disks until released. A suitable spring 11 is seated within theheads and forces the lower or inner end of the lever or detent out intothe slot in the heads or disks into a position where it will alwaysengage the axle when it is forced down into the disks. To provide meansfor forcing the axle into place and at the same time holding the spoolin close contact with the flexible apron as it is wound forward, andthereby laying the film fiat and taut upon the apron,there is mounted atthe rear of the box a cross-shaftj, one end of which extends out throughthe side of the box and has connected to it a crank or arm 7t, Fig. 4.This shaft j has secured to it near one end an arm Z of a lengthsufficient to extend out in line with the slots or channels 6, and alsoa second arm m, which is adjustably secured to the shaft, as is bestindicated in Fig. 4. This adjustability may be secured by threading oneend of the arm and providing the shaft with a series of threadedopenings into which the arm may be screwed as desired. A spring n,encircles the shaft and has one end connected to the rear of the box,while its opposite end is passed around the arm Z and tends to rotatethe shaft and force the arms Z and m downward toward the disks or headsa 1).

While I have shown the arms Z and m as bearing upon the axle or supportd, the arms may, if so desired, be brought to bear upon the cartridge,and in either instance, whether they bear upon the axle or cartridge,act as brakes to prevent the film from unwinding or springing out intoloose coils, thereby permitting light to affect the film before thecover is placed upon the box or the film to lie loosely on the apron orsupport as the two are wound forward. iVhile I have shown the arms asbearing on the axles, it is manifest that they may bear upon the spoolequally as well, and it is for this reason that the arm m is madeadjustable.

To hold the arms Z and m in their upright position, there is placed uponthe outer face of the box a hook or other fastening device 0, which maybe brought into engagement with the inwardly-projecting end of the armor crank 70, thereby holding the shaft against rotation and maintainingthe arms in their upright position.

After all the operations necessary to the treatment of a film have beencompleted and it is desired to remove the film from the apparatus it isof course necessary to unlock the axle or support (I from the disks orheads CZ Z), and to this end I employ two armsp, one pivotally mountedupon each side of the box, which may be swung down into the positionindicated in Fig. 8 and brought into engagement with the upper ends ofthe locking levers or detents h. Then by simply turning the heads ordisks to b slightly backward the locking levers or detents are broughtinto the p0 sition indicated in Fig. 9, wherein it will be seen thatthey are free from their engagement with the axle, and said axle may bewithdrawn from the box.

To provide for introduction into the apparatus of the liquids necessaryto the devel opment and fixing of the film, there is formed near thebottom of the box at one side an opening q, into which may be screwed acoupling connected to a rubber tube or hose '1', carying at its upperend for convenience a funnels, Fig. 13. The tube 0" is made sufficientlylong to extend up above the top of the box, and to hold it in thisposition when liquid is in the apparatus I employ a ring t, providedwith a hook it, which may be brought into engagement with an eye '12,secured to the box. Of course when the operator is not using theapparatus the tube may be unscrewed and placed within the box out of theway. Vhen it is desired to empty the box, all that it is necessary to dois to unhook the ring from the eye and let the liquid run out throughthe tube into any desired receptacle. When the apparatus is not in use,it is preferable that the opening g be closed against the entrance ofextraneous matters, and to this end I employaswinging or pivoted coveror closure to, which maybe moved down over the opening when the tube iswithdrawn. Inasmuch as the cover fits the box practically air-tight,means must be provided for the escape of the air as the liquid entersthe box. To provide for this, a screw-plug is fitted in the cover, asshown in Fig. 2, the stem at of the plug being made hollow, as shown,and provided with lateral openings 11 which communicate with a spaceleft intermediate the head of the plug and the surrounding wall of theopening formed in the cover. It will be noted that no light-rays canenter the interior of the box or closure through the passage thus formednor through the filling-tube.

In Figs. 15 and 16 I have shown a modified form of apron or supportformed of a sheet of celluloid having upon one face thereof, near eachof the side edges, a series of projections or protuberances A, theupright walls of which are substantially vertical to the face of theapron. In Fig. 16 two layers of an apron so formed are shown inposition, and it will be noted that the projections separate the layersin a manner similar to the rubber strips referred toin connection withthe otherformhereinbeforedescribed. The prese'nt construction isadvantageous in that it not only separates the layers, but also providesopenings between the layers at the outer edges thereof, so that theliquids used in the treatment of the film may have ready access to eachlayer of the film. This does away with the necessity of formingperforations or openings in the body of the apron.

In Fig. 17 I have shown the apparatus laid upon its side, with theflexible apron or support wholly unwound therefrom in the form of aloop, with the film which has been pre- Viousl y treated left thereon.It will be noted that the film and apron are free from all wrinkles andthat the parts may be left in this position until the film has becomethoroughly dry. This is advantageous in that it does away with thenecessity of having to withdraw the wet film from the apparatus andplace it on a separate support or holder for the purpose of drying.

Operation: In the use of the apparatus the parts are in the positionshown in Fig. 1, the filling-tube being screwed into place and theflexible apron or support being wound about itself upon the rear pair ofdisks a b, the raised edges of course coming in contact with each otherand forming a series of separated layers. The apparatus is designed tobe used more particularly with a photographic film or cartridge havingthe image-receiving portion or film proper protected by end pieces whichare actinic-proof and which are connected or attached to the film insuch manner that they will not become separated in the solutions usednor injuriously affect such solutions, or the film may be one in whichthe protecting or enveloping portion is formed integral with the body ofthe film. The protecting end is first threaded through the front axle Kwith the spool in such position that when unwound the sensitive face ofthe film comes uppermost, the axle at this time being disconnected fromthe heads or disks, so that it may be rotated independently thereof.After the end is threaded in the cartridge, with its axle or support, isplaced within the box, the ends of the axle or support (1 extending intothe ways or guides e and the spool resting upon the flexible apron; 01',if desired, the spool may be first put in position in the box and theend withdrawn therefrom and threaded through the front axle K. The armsZ and m are then let down into position and bear either upon the spoolor cartridge orthe axle d,acting, as above noted, as a brake and alsoserving to hold the spool down into close contact with the apron. Thecover is now put in position, and the operator continues to turn theaxle K independently of the disks until the protecting-cover has beenentirely withdrawn from the spool and wound about the axle K. This canbe ascertained by viewing the operation through the inspection-openingformed in the cover and will be indicated by a perforation or otherdistinguishing means carried by the film. The lids are then closed downand the axle K is locked to the disks, as will be understood, and theapron then drawn forward with the film taut thereon intermediate theraised edges, the sensitized face of the film of course being uppermost.This operation of winding the apron and withdrawing the film from thespool is continued until the apron or support is wound about the forwardaxle or the disks carried thereby, as indicated in Fig. 2, when uponfurther movement of the parts, as shown in Fig 3, the axle d will passdown into the slots formed in the heads or disks a b, and by reason ofthe spring-pressure exerted through the arms Z and msaid axle will beforced down to its seat in the disks and be locked by thespring-actuated levers or detents h. To make absolutely sure that theaxle or support cl is brought to its proper position, it may be pressedhome by the operator through the agency of the crank 70. Then said axled has been locked in position, the operator raises the arms Z and m totheir upright position and locks them there by the hook j passing overthe crank 7r. When the parts are brought to the position just noted, theliquid is introduced to the closed box or receptacle, the air passingout through the plug in the cover. The operator may now by rotating thedisks or heads through the cranks L L in the direction indicated by thearrows, Fig. 18, cause the apron to be traversed back and forth beneaththe inspection-openings formed in the cover, and the whole process ofdevelopment may, if desired, be watched. The openings V in the apron inthe form shown in Figs.1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 permit the liquid to circulatefreely through the layers of the apron and also permit the escape of airfrom between the layers as the liquid enters the box, thereby insuringthe proper treatment of the film over its entire surface, and thiswithout liability of streaking and the like. With the form of apronshown in Figs. 15 and 16 the liquid enters, of course, between thelayers of the apron or support intermediate the projections A. After thefilm has been developed, fixed, washed, and, if desired, treated withglycerin the cover is removed and the film with the apron or supportwithdrawn from the apparatus, as indicated in Fig. 17, and left to dry.If it is desired, however, to place the film upon some other support forthe purpose of drying it, the arms 19 are thrown down into the positionindicated in Fig. 8 to act upon the levers h, the disks being rotatedinto the position indicated in Fig. 9, thereby withdrawing the lockinglevers or detents from their engagement with the supporting-axle 61, sothat it may be readily withdrawn and the film removed.

The celluloid bed or apron is advantageous for many reasons. It islight, flexible, does not wrinkle or fold, and does not cause thedeposition of any of the chemicals used in the solutions employed in theprocess of developing and fixing.

Shaft cl is provided with a loop or similar projection d, extending outtherefrom near one end, this for the purpose of always bringing thespool to its proper position on the shaft before it is placed Within thebox.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a portableapparatus for developing flexible photographic films, the combination ofa suitable box or receptacle closed against the admission of actinicrays; a rotary device mounted therein; a flexible apron connected at oneend to said rotary device, said apron consisting of a web provided wit-hmeans for holding the apron in a series of separated layers when woundup; a rotary device connected to the opposite end of said apron; andmeans for connecting the ends of a flexible photographic film to saidrotary devices and maintaining the film in position upon the apron.

2. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against aotinicrays; a flexible apron or support mounted therein having its bodyportion formed of a sheet of celluloid and provided with means forholding the apron in a series of separated layers when wound up; andmeans for winding the apron about itself in opposite directions.

3. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against actinicrays; a flexible apron or support mounted therein, the body portion ofsaid apron consisting of a sheet of celluloid having openings near itsedges; projections extending up from the edges of said apron; and meansfor winding said apron about itself.

4. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a flexible apron or support mounted therein,said apron having its body portion formed of celluloid; projectionsextending up from said apron near its side edges; means for winding saidapron about itself in opposite directions; and means also mounted withinthe box for holding the ends of a photographic film and maintaining thebody of the fllm proper in close contact with the body of the apron.

5. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle; a cover therefor havingan openingformed therein; actinicproof material mounted within saidopening; and lids G, H, pivotally connected to the cover over saidactinio-proof material.

6. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle; a cover thereforhavingan openingformed therein; asheet of actinic-proof celluloidmounted in the opening, one portion of said sheet being treated so thatit will diffuse the light-rays; and lids pivotally connected to thecover over said celluloid sheet.

7. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle; a cover therefor havingan opening therein; 'a sheet of oel luloid mounted in said opening andproof against the passage of actinic rays, one portion of the celluloidsheet being ground; and lids G, H, pivotally mounted upon the cover oversaid celluloid sheet.

8. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle; a cover therefor havingan opening formed therein; asheet of celluloid proof against the passagetherethrough of actinic rays, one portion of the sheet being ground; andmeans for cutting off the direct admission of light-rays to the interiorof the apparatus through the unground portion while permitting theoperator to view the film through said portion.

0. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a flexible apron orsupport mounted withinsaid box; meansfor winding said apron about itself with a flexiblephotographic film thereon; a shaftj mounted within the box and providedwith outwardly extending arms, one of said arms being adjustable alongthe length of the shaft; and a spring for normally rotating said shaftand pressing the arms in a downwardly direction.

10. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a flexible apron or support mounted therein;means for winding said apron about itself in a series of separatedlayers with a flexible photographic film thereon; a shaft j mountedwithin the box and provided with outwardly-extending arms Z, 1%, saidarm m being adjustable lengthwise of the shaft; a spring for normallypressing said arms in a downwardly direction; and means for locking saidshaft to hold the arms in an upright position.

11. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; means for admitting liquid to said box; and ahollow screwplug mounted in the box, said plug being formed with anangular or circuitous passage therein to provide for the exit of the airwithin said box as the liquid enters the same, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

12. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against admissionof actinic rays; ashaft K mounted therein; disks loosely mounted uponsaid shaft; means for locking said shaft and the disks together; aflexible apron or support connected at one end to said disks, the bodyportion of said apron being formed of celluloid and provided with meansfor holding the same in a series of separated layers when wound up;disks a, b, rotatably mounted within the box in rear of said shaft K andlikewise connected to the opposite end of the apron; and means carriedby said disks a, b, for holding a spool-axle.

13. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box closed against the admission ofactinio rays; a shaft K mounted therein and having an opening extendingthere through, the body portion of the shaft being cut away adjacent tosaid opening, substantially as set forth; disks mounted upon said shaft;means for connecting said disks and the shaft together; a flexible apronor support connected to said disks; a second pair of disks a, I) mountedin the box in rear of said shaft and connected to the opposite end ofthe apron; and means carried by said disks a, b for engaging and holdinga supportingshaft for a photographic spool.

14. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against admissionof actinic rays; ashaft K mounted therein; disks mounted upon saidshaft; a series of seats or sockets P formed in the face of one of saiddisks; a pin connected to the said shaft and adapted to enter saidsockets or seats; means for permitting endwise movement of the shaft andholding it in its adjusted position; a flexible apron connected to thedisks; a rotatable device mounted in the box in rear of said shaft andconnected to the opposite end of the apron; and means carried by saidrotatable device for holding a support for a photographiccartridge-spool.

15. In aportable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a flexible apron or support mounted therein;a rotatable device connected to one end of said apron; a secondrotatable device connected to the opposite end of the apron; meanscarried by said second device for engaging a shaft or axle; and meansfor unlocking said devices and permitting the withdrawal of the axle,substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographic films,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a rotatable device mounted in the forward endof said box; a flexible apron or support connected at one end to saiddevice; disks a, b, rotatably mounted in the box in rear of said forwardrotary device; locking-levers carried by said devices; and arms 19pivotally secured within the box and adapted and arranged to be throwndown in line with the outer ends of the locking-levers, substantially asand for the purpose described.

17. An apron or support for use in the development of flexiblephotographic films consisting of a sheet of celluloid having projectionsextending up therefrom adjacent to its side edges.

18. An apron or support for use in the de velopment of flexiblephotographic films, consisting of a sheet of celluloid having strips offlexible material secured thereto adjacent to its side edges.

19. An apron or support for use in the development of flexiblephotographic films, consisting of a sheet of celluloid having strips orhands of rubber secured thereto adjacent to its side edges.

20. An apron or support for use in the development of flexiblephotographic fllms consisting of a sheet of celluloid havingperforations extending therethrough near its side edges, and a strip offlexible material secured to the face of the sheet intermediate theopenings and the edges.

21. An apron or supportfor use in the development of flexiblephotographic films, consisting of a sheet of celluloid havingprojections extending up therefrom adjacent to its side edges, incombination with means for holding a flexible photographic film thereonintermediate said raised edges.

22. An apron or support for use in the development of flexiblephotographic films, consisting of a sheet of celluloid, havingperforations formed therein near its side edges,and strips of rubbersewed to the face of said sheet intermediate the perforations and theedges thereof.

23. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographicfllms,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a rotatable device mounted therein; aflexible supporting-web connected to said rotatable device; means forholding successive layers of said web in a separated position; and meansfor connecting the end of a flexible photographic fllm to said rotatabledevice.

24. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographicfllms,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a rotatable device mounted therein; aself-sustaining flexible web connected to said device; means for boldingsuccessive layers of said web in a separated position; and means forconnecting the end of a flexible photographic film to said rotarydevice.

25. In a portable apparatus for developing flexible photographicfllms,the combination of a suitable box or receptacle closed against theadmission of actinic rays; a rotatable device mounted therein; aself-sustaining flexible web connected to said device; means for holdingsuccessive layers of said web in a separated position; means forconnecting the end of a flexible photographic fllm to said rotarydevice; and means for maintaining acartridge in proper position withrelation to said Web.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR WV. MOGURDY.

WVitnesses:

.HORACE A. DODGE,

DUDLEY E. BURDINE.

